The XP-6B prototype existed as a P-1 fighter development with a V-1670 engine installed. The P-6C became a cancelled variant while XP-6D was an XP-6B prototype fitted with a turbocharged V-1570-C engine. The P-6D then followed as converted P-6A models to a new standard which incorporated a Prestone cooling system - during 1932 their engines were revised to a turbocharged V-1570-C. The XP-6E then followed - also known as company Model 35 and Y1P-22 - in July of 1931 to serve as prototype for a new major mark - the P-6E.
The P-6E became the most notable model of the P-6 family line, outfitted with a 700 horsepower Curtiss V-1570C "Conqueror" engine and capable of reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour. Compared to the earlier P-6D production model (which it shared many similarities to), the P-6E incorporated an all-new forward fuselage design which streamlined its appearance to a more pleasing cylindrical shape. Its armament was 2 x .303 caliber machine guns. The undercarriage - carrying faired-over wheels consistent with other interwar period fighter designs - were fixed and the cockpit left open-air. The biplane wings were staggered in profile with the upper unit ahead of the lower, joined by strong parallel struts and cabling. The USN also took on the aircraft but requested a version with manually-retracting legs.
The P-6E became the last biplane fighter to be taken on by the USAAC. Over 45 of the type were ordered in July of 1931.
Something of a transitional design bridging the classic biplanes of World War 1 and the modern all-metal monoplanes of World War 2, the P-6 was given superior performance against any biplane of the period. Procurement of the aircraft was only limited by the restriction set upon military spending during the tumultuous Great Depression years. The line went on to see modest export success, again in limited numbers, around the world with customers in Bolivia, China, Cuba, the Dutch East Indies, and Imperial Japan.
Many experimental marks dotted the history of the Hawk, taking advantage of technology advances of the time including superchargers, multiple machine gun mountings, improved radial piston engines, alloys, and the like. 1932 saw Captain Reuben Moffat flew a modified P-6 from Dayton, Ohio to Washington, D.C. on a record-setting run - reaching 266 miles per hour and an altitude of 25,000 feet.
The P-6 Hawk was still active into the late 1930s which saw the official start of World War 2 though it did not see combat in the conflict.
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